I have the heads off, and obviously distributor is out. How do I make sure that Piston #1 is at TDC on the compression stroke?? Is it when the #1 lifters are down, (not on cam lobes)??

Just getting ready for new cam to go in. Thanks

 

...also I think one of the #6's will be up...Then you know your at #1 TDC, & not #6 TDC...

If you have the chain cover off, the cam & crank gears will have both dots straight up @ 12 O'Clock...


Ron

 

both valves closed, dampner mark lined up on timing tab, piston at top of stroke, also 6 will be up. with the heads off you won't know if it's fireing on 1 or 6. if you have the timing cover off then make sure both dots are straight up and it'll fire on 1.

 

If the cam isn't in the engine, then there's no difference yet between the 2 instances of TDC, because the cam is the thing that does that...

Just put the motor at #1 & #6 TDC, slide the cam in, line up the dots (cam dot and crank dot right next to each other), and you'll most likely be at #6 firing. Turn the crank one full revolution, you will be back at #1 & #6 TDC again, the cam will go ½ revolution, the dots will both be straight up, and the motor will then be at #1 firing.